Story & Lesson Highlights with Mama Yaya

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mama Yaya. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Mama, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Speaking up even louder for social justice matters despite the major backlash for those that do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Mama Yaya is a Chicago raised, singer/songwriter of Palestinian and Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
She showcases a unique blend of musical skills to tell her story.

She began her music/acting career officially in the 5th grade and has since performed at venues such as U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago Symphony Center, Pritzker Pavilion, Uncommon Ground, Refuge Live, Underground Wonder Bar, B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted, Kingston Mines, Skokie Theater, and many more. She performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the Deaf and Loud Symphonic Experience.

In the summer of 2018, Mama Yaya signed with Detroit producer Jake Bass at Boca J Music. In the fall of 2019, she was invited to audition for American Idol where she received the golden ticket from all three celebrity judges and made it up to round 2 during Hollywood week. They have since released her EP “Broken Record” which debuted at number 48 on the ITunes Pop Charts. It also reached number 14 on Amazon’s Hot New Pop Releases and number 62 on Amazon’s Best Seller’s Chart in Pop. Mama Yaya continues to use her voice and her music to speak out on traumas, mental health and injustice. As of January 2021, she became a Certified Grief, Loss & Trauma Coach.

In 2021, Mama Yaya performed as Siren on Fox TV’s new singing competition show – “Alter Ego”. She performed “I Put A Spell On You”, “I’m Going Down” and “Rise Up.” She was judged by will.i.am, Grimes, Alanis Morissette, and Nick Lachey.

She has been mentioned in the Rolling Stones Magazine, The Atlantic, in other publications and featured in several television interviews.

Throughout 2022, she performed with Sofar Sounds Chicago, The NAMM Show, Buddy Guy Legend’s, The Fly Honeys at Thalia Hall, WGN Morning News in Chicago, Fox 32 Chicago, Fox 2 Detroit, Arts Beats and Eats in Michigan, iO Chicago for Brandon Johnson, and backup vocals for Leon Bridge’s tour in Chicago.

Most recently, she became a Recording Academy member and attended the 2025 Grammys.

New music coming soon!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As an American based artist, the past two years have completely reshaped how I see the world due to the genocide in Gaza. Speaking out for Palestinian human rights and awareness has only recently been more acceptable among famous artists. It has been so critical for people with platforms to speak up, no matter the cost or sacrifices made.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell baby Yaya that she has a right to fully exist.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
“Collective liberation for all – No one is free until we are all free”.

I deeply believe in this and will continue to educate myself and others on it as best I can no matter how long it takes; my commitment is solid.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am absolutely doing what I was born to do; sing, create, be an artist.

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